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Dirk Kersten is a General Partner at Forbion based in the Amsterdam Area, Netherlands. Before joining the firm in 2018, he served as a Managing Director at INKEF Capital, where he established the healthcare investment team, and spent over a decade in corporate finance and private equity at ABN AMRO. At Forbion, he manages the Growth Opportunities Fund and is part of the leadership team that raised €1.35 billion across two new life sciences vehicles in April 2023. His investment track record includes leading deals for Ascendis Pharma and Dyne Therapeutics, as well as backing NightBalance before its acquisition by Philips. He currently holds board seats at Dyne Therapeutics, Synox Therapeutics, and NorthSea Therapeutics. Kersten leverages his scientific training from the University of Groningen to focus on growth-stage biotechnology investments, deal making, and portfolio management.
Dirk Kersten is a distinguished General Partner at Forbion, a leading European life sciences venture capital firm renowned for its strategic investments in innovative drug discovery and development companies. In his pivotal role, Dirk is instrumental in shaping Forbion's investment strategy, identifying promising early-stage and growth-stage opportunities, and actively supporting portfolio companies from inception through to successful exits. His work directly contributes to advancing medical science and bringing new therapies to patients worldwide.
Dirk's investment focus areas are deeply rooted in the dynamic and rapidly evolving life sciences sector. He specializes in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical innovations, with a keen eye for companies developing novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and platform technologies. His approach emphasizes rigorous scientific due diligence combined with a strong understanding of market potential and commercial viability. He often works closely with scientific founders and management teams, leveraging his extensive industry knowledge to help build robust companies, refine business models, and navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
Before his tenure as General Partner, Dirk built a robust career foundation that equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the life sciences ecosystem. His background typically includes significant experience in medicine, scientific research, or the pharmaceutical industry, often complemented by strategic consulting or prior venture capital roles. This diverse experience provides him with a unique perspective, enabling him to evaluate complex scientific propositions and translate them into viable investment opportunities. His journey at Forbion has seen him rise through various roles, consistently demonstrating a strong ability to identify and cultivate high-potential ventures.
Throughout his career at Forbion, Dirk Kersten has been involved in numerous successful investments that have significantly impacted the biotech landscape. While specific individual investments are often a collaborative effort within the firm, his strategic guidance and active participation have been crucial in the growth and eventual success of several portfolio companies. These successes include companies that have achieved significant clinical milestones, secured substantial follow-on funding, or successfully exited through acquisitions or public offerings, delivering strong returns for investors and, more importantly, contributing vital advancements to healthcare. His commitment to fostering innovation and his deep industry expertise make him a key figure in European life sciences venture capital.
Dirk Kersten is a General Partner at Forbion, a prominent European venture capital firm specializing in life sciences. He is known for his expertise in investing in and developing innovative drug discovery and development companies.
Dirk Kersten primarily invests in the life sciences sector, focusing on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical innovations. He targets companies developing novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and platform technologies, from early-stage to growth-stage.
Dirk Kersten works as a General Partner at Forbion, a leading European life sciences venture capital firm. Forbion has offices in Naarden, Netherlands, and Munich, Germany.
